Last year, I came here getting very useful information on my applications and final choice of school. I was benefited from it. That's why I am more than willing to share my experience of this year in UC Hastings with all of you. Hope this will help.
I came to United States in August, 2009 which was my first trip abroad. I didn't speak English well and landed on San Francisco with fears of indefinite future.
However my experience in Hastings this year changed my initial "question mark" to an big "exclamation mark".
1. Orientation
First of all, the orientation week is definitely the best one I have heard from all my former classmates( in fact there are more than 30 students from my college came to the US for the LLM program in different schools, so we share information every now and then). Comparing to some of school which offered expensive orientation without focusing any particular area, the Orientation of Hastings is free and Wow, I can't describe how much I loved it. Beside the courses we took maining on Constitutional Law and Legal System, we got chances to go to Napa sponsored by a Alumni and go to Alcatraz island treated by Our school.
2 The very first start in law school
Started from August 24, the fall semester is pretty much stressful. We had classes with JD students in every course and the first two weeks are expecially tough. We were lucky to have professors in the LLM programe who held Legal Writing and Research for us and meanwhile help us overcome the fears and the difficulties in the very first beginning. I am still deeply deeply moved by what they have done for me.
3. Finals
Talking about finals, it was like......every student's nightmare. At first I was not confident at all as for my English and capability of getting good grades. After all, English is my second language and I never attended any law school exams in English. Turns out...It was not bad at all. I got very pleasant grades in my first semester. I am not sure about this semester.Hopefully it will not be a drop off:) My little advise is: Read the cases instead of case briefs. Lots of people will advise you to read only the case briefs. However in my opinion, case law is the real essence of American Legal System. You would miss too much if you skip the cases. Besides, it helps a lot in the final exams. I insisted reading cases and got good rewards in my exams.
4. Life in San Francisco
What can I say? You got to be here at least once in your life!The most beautiful city in the world! Our school located in the central area of City of SF. Transportation is convenient so there is no need to buy a car. Besides car rentings are not expensive at all.
I will be graduating in May 16 which is about 10 days later. I have to say to come here is the best decision I have made and no one in our program feels regret for our choices.
I wish you all the best in persuing your future studies in the US.

Wendy,

Thank you for sharing your experience!

How about the life after LLM? Planning to go back home?

By the way, where are you from?

Congrats for your graduation!!!

Wendy, I will graduate with my JD on June 8. I also read all the cases in all subjects. In fact, I briefed them all in pencil, no computer, no typing. It was very sad for me to throw all three years of work away because I will be going back to Miami and cannot take all that extra weight with me. Congrats on your LL.M. and all the best!!!!

Wendy,

Thank you for sharing your experience!

How about the life after LLM? Planning to go back home?

By the way, where are you from?

Congrats for your graduation!!!

Wendy, I will graduate with my JD on June 8. I also read all the cases in all subjects. In fact, I briefed them all in pencil, no computer, no typing. It was very sad for me to throw all three years of work away because I will be going back to Miami and cannot take all that extra weight with me. Congrats on your LL.M. and all the best!!!!

Ha ha ha ha ... I wish I could because I am mailing my personal items as well. However, I will ask the post office if it is possible.

Hi,

I have recently received admit letter from UC hastings. I want to meet people who have already studied at UC Hastings.

I want to know which subjects you had taken. I want to concentrate on business laws and tax laws. I want to appear for CA bar exam also after finishing LLM.

On receiving admission offer letter from Hastings, I am really in fix as to which subjects to take that will not only help me in preparing for bar exam but also those subjects will help me in getting better jobs.

I want to explore the consultancy aspect related to international tax laws where in depth study of both international business laws and tax law would come into picture. That is why I am right now aiming to get into the one of big 4 accounting firms in SF in CA. I even see the opportunity of working as a para-legal or as a court clerk in one of the tax courts in CA.

Could any one please guide me on the above points? It would be great if you all can share the details of your current work profiles with me.

Regards,
Tulsi.

Wendy
Thanks for sharing. These are valuable experience. May I ask how do you feel about the LLM courses? I am going to US for LLM this year, and there are lots of sayings mention that LLM courses are not helpful to Chinese student to take the bar exam. Students have to rely on barbri mainly. Is that true? Would you please give us some advices? Thank you !